Real Madrid legend advises Ancelotti to use Guardiola’s Barcelona as an example | OneFootball

Real Madrid did not have the best of starts to the new season when the reigning European and Spanish champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Mallorca.

It is evident the team requires more work and balance, despite the new signings, and to that end, former Real Madrid midfielder Jose Maria Gutierrez, commonly known as Guti, drew inspiration from FC Barcelona’s past to offer advice to his beloved club.

Guti uses Guardiola Barça as an example

Guti cited Pep Guardiola’s Barça as a model for Real Madrid to emulate, particularly in terms of defensive commitment and collective effort.

“You have to look at what Guardiola’s Barça or Guardiola’s Manchester City did,” Guti told El Chiringuito (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

The catalyst for Guti’s comments was the harsh self-criticism made by Carlo Ancelotti, following a disappointing draw against Mallorca in the opening match of the new La Liga campaign.

Ancelotti, with a serious expression, pointed out a lack of “commitment” and “concentration” from his team.

Guti believes Guardiola’s Barcelona team had gotten it right. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Guti, agreeing with Ancelotti’s assessment, emphasized that Real Madrid’s starting lineup, filled with attacking stars, must look to Guardiola’s methods to achieve balance.

“It’s not a disgrace, I’m with Ancelotti because for me the starting team is the one that is taking the ball out. With the nuances that I mentioned when the team doesn’t have the ball and has to fall back,” he said.

“You have to look at what Guardiola’s Barça did or what Manchester City does. This is what Barcelona did well: when you lose the ball you have to win it back up front, because if not it will be difficult for you to go back,” Guti added.

Guti concluded that for Real Madrid to avoid tactical disintegration, “The key to everything is to involve all the players in the collective effort.”

Reflecting on the Mallorca match, he noted, “That’s what happened in Mallorca: if you have to run backwards, these four fall behind,” stressing the need for the entire team to work together defensively.

It will be interesting to see whether the Real Madrid unit pays any heed to Guti’s advice when they take on Real Valladolid in their next match this weekend.